Florida authorities have arrested a man who left his terrified bull terrier tied to a fence while Hurricane Milton pummeled central Florida . Hillsborough County State Attorney Suzy Lopez confirmed that Giovanny Aldama Garcia was arrested on Monday and charged with aggravated animal cruelty.
The charge, which is a third-degree felony, carries a possible 5-year sentence in jail and a $5,000 fine. Garcia, 23, reportedly admitted to leaving the petrified pooch , named Jumbo, tied up on Interstate 75 while he raced to Georgia to seek shelter from the incoming storm. According to Garcia, he left his companion behind because he "couldn’t find anyone to pick the dog up."
Lopez issued a statement condemning the man's actions and called on politicians to help change the current laws. “In Hillsborough County, we take animal cruelty very seriously. This defendant is charged with a felony and could face up to five years in prison for his actions,” Lopez said.
“Quite frankly, I don’t think that is enough. Hopefully, lawmakers take a look at this case and discuss changing the law to allow for harsher penalties for people who abandon their animals during a state of emergency," she added. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis also slammed Garcia's actions.
“When this poor dog was left out there,” DeSantis said during a Tuesday news conference per The New York Post . “We said … we’re going to nail you when we find out who did it. And that’s exactly what they’re doing here in Hillsborough County with State Attorney Lopez.”
“You don’t just tie up a dog and have them out there for a storm. Totally unacceptable, and we’re going to hold you accountable,” he continued. The outlet reported that Garcia was released from jail on a $2,500 bond.
It was previously reported that a Florida police officer, who was trying to get as many residents to safety as possible, engaged in a daring rescue when someone informed him of the terrified dog. The footage shows the officer getting out of his patrol vehicle in increasingly dangerous conditions and making his way to the dog, who looked wet, tired and miserable.
Sitting in a puddle of water, the viral footage has officers attempting to soothe the pup. "It's ok buddy, it's ok, it's ok," one officer said while approaching the dog. "I don't blame you," the officer added when the bull terrier let out several barks.
An arrest affidavit said, "Due to the circumstances, and the extreme danger and risk of death caused by the defendant to the dog, the defendant’s actions caused excessive unnecessary infliction of pain and suffering to the dog." The document also stated the rescue happened around 9 am.
Sharing the rescue on X, the state troopers said: "FHP Troopers rescued a dog left tied to a pole on I-75 near Bruce B Downs Blvd this morning. Do NOT do this to your pets please." The post caused several user to react in horror that someone would do such a thing.
One user wrote "Perhaps we find the owner and the troopers can tie them to the pole and leave them? Just a suggestion." The Leon County Humane Society took custody of the dog and renamed him "Trooper" due to "how much he’s been through and to honor those who saved him” from the catastrophic storm.
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